Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai Province

Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Khong, Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province is a temple of the Mahanikaya sect. It is located in Wiang Subdistrict, Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province. The entrance to the temple is on the main road, while the other side is on the Mekong River. Wat Phra Kaew was originally named Wat Si Bun Rueang. Another source states that Wat Si Bun Yuen is believed to have been built around 1240. Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Khong is an ancient temple on the banks of the Mekong River. The temple is on the road, which is a bit difficult to notice. The area inside is not too wide, and can park 10-20 cars. It is considered one of the oldest temples in Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province. Inside the chapel is the Emerald Buddha. For those who love to pray to Thao Wessuwan, this temple has a 300-year-old Thao Wessuwan statue. It is considered an ancient sacred object made of wood and is very sacred. For those who observe the precepts and do good deeds, it is recommended that you come and pray here. You may be successful in your wishes. This sacred place has the city's guardian Buddha and an ancient pagoda that is hundreds of years old. The temple is on the main road, but on the other side is on the Mekong River. Therefore, the temple area offers a beautiful view of the Mekong River. Including a clear view of the Lao side. Inside the temple, there are many ancient Buddha images, especially the Buddha images made from beautiful Mekong River stones. On the Mekong River side, there are marble benches for you to sit and enjoy the scenery of the Mekong River and the Lao side along the temple. Wat Phra Kaew is considered the oldest temple in Chiang Khong District. It is currently 1,313 years old. It was originally called "Wat Si Bunyuen". Later, during the reign of Chao Ariya, a descendant of the ruler of Chiang Saen, he ruled Chiang Khong and carried out a major renovation of the temple. Later, the villagers called this temple "Wat Phra Kaew", the same name that has been used until now. Important antiques in Wat Phra Kaew include a Buddha image in the Mara-Vijaya attitude, lacquered and gilded, enshrined in the temple's chapel; a pagoda containing the hair of the Buddha that is over a thousand years old; an ancient chapel made entirely of teak and takian wood that is hundreds of years old; a Sukchi base, which is the pedestal for the principal Buddha image in the chapel, made of sand and clay bricks carved with exquisite ancient Chinese patterns; an ancient Dharma made entirely of teak and lacquered and gilded. The base is permanently attached to the floor of the chapel and cannot be moved. It is an ancient and very beautiful art, a green jade Buddha statue of 3 seasons, carved from green jade from Mekong River, in a meditation pose, 29 inches wide at the lap, dressed in 3 seasons, an ancient replica of a temple in a Lanna Thai style mixed with Tai Lue Lan Xang (Luang Prabang), made entirely of teak, lacquered and gilded, including beautifully painted gold patterns, it is hundreds of years old, the temple is not large, right next to the Mekong River, inside the church is beautiful, there is an ancient Dharma according to the age of the temple.